Brief Shutdown

A suspicious package that briefly shut down parts of Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama contained only food. Officials at the base in Montgomery said the package was found during a routine inspection Friday and initially tested positive for explosives. Security officials opened the package and realized it contained only food. All activities on the base have returned to normal.

Forecast Fumble

A mistaken forecast led to days of problems in Alabama's largest metropolitan area, but experts say predicting a winter storm is incredibly difficult. The Birmingham metro area recovered from the snow and ice storm that struck Tuesday with virtually no warning. Commuters and school children were stranded for a day. Meteorologist Jeff Masters of Weather Underground said the rarity of winter storms in Alabama makes forecasting even tougher.

Boating Homicide

Legislation is on its way through the Alabama Statehouse that would levy the same penalties in a vehicular homicide case to someone operating a boat in a negligent manner that causes a death. The bill's sponsor in the Senate, Republican Bryan Taylor of Prattville says several boating deaths in his district prompted the measure.

Traffic Fatality

Former Auburn and LPGA player Danielle Downey died in a single-car accident. The coroner said Downey last control on County Road 57 in Lee County Thursday night. The care overturned several times and she was ejected from the vehicle. The 33-year-old Downey was in her second season as Auburn's director of golf operations.